Credit Management (Trade Export and Consumer)
This unit provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice across a range of credit environments.
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CICM qualifications are the recognised standard in the credit and collections industry.
Many Credit and Collections roles specifically require CICM qualifications or evidence that you are working towards them.
Our qualifications are available at the following levels, navigate the drop downs below:
Level 2 (Entry) Certificate & Diploma in Credit and Collections
This is our entry level qualification which aims to improve your skills and help you gain recognition in your role. It will raise your confidence and performance in day-to-day tasks and build your skills ready for the next stage in your career.
What will I learn?
This level will give you foundation knowledge about broad areas of credit and collections. It will help you understand and implement the principles of best practice to enhance and optimise day-to-day activities.
What will I gain?
Our structured approach to learning will improve your technical knowledge and teaches useful techniques which can be used daily. A CICM qualification can increase your earning potential, even while you are still studying.
The flexibility of our qualification structure means you can choose to study any of the level 2 awards and 'bank' them with us. Pass any two awards to achieve CICM Entry-level Certificate in Credit & Collections. Pass any four awards to achieve the CICM Entry-level Diploma in Credit & Collections.
Who is it for?
New recruits to credit and collections such as apprentices, and more experienced staff, who are unqualified. As a CICM student, you show employers that you have a commitment to upholding the highest professional standards and raising personal performance.
Can I get exemptions?
Yes, if you already have business related qualifications at an equivalent or higher level, you can apply for an exemption.
Are you eligible for an exemption?
Recognition of prior learning
The CICM accredits prior learning, and learners may apply for an exemption for one or more units if they have passed a relevant subject in an equivalent qualification. This must be at the same or a higher level.
A request for exemption should be made in writing on registration with the CICM, and be supported by copies of certificates and official confirmation of the subjects or units passed. It may also be necessary to provide syllabus details so that the Institute can determine the degree of match between the qualifications being considered and its own units.
Examination exemptions will not be awarded for units where a candidate has previously sat and failed that unit in an CICM examination. Also, only the CICM can advise on eligibility for exemptions. Exemptions are not valid until the relevant fee has been paid.
For further information please contact [email protected]
Get started
For a Certificate, you will need successful completion of any two awards (units) which will lead to the Certificate in Credit & Collections and for the Diploma you will need successful Completion of any four awards (units).
Awards (Units) can be taken via:
We encourage learners to start with one of the Level 3 mandatory Credit Management awards. These units are awarded at level 2 or level 3 depending on the exam pass mark. The Credit Management (Trade, Export and Consumer) unit gives the broadest coverage of Credit Management across all business environments therefore, many select this as their first unit.
Level 2 Units
Export Credit Management
The unit provides a broad understanding of the legal context and structures in which business operates through the development of knowledge about the English legal system, contract law, agency, and sales and supply of goods legislation.
Consumer Credit Management
This award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Trade Credit Management
This award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Taking Control of Goods
This regulated award covers the knowledge requirement of those seeking certification to act as an enforcement agent.
Credit Control and Collections
This is an entry level unit that aims to assess essential knowledge and skills of Credit Controllers and Collectors.
Business Communications and Personal Skills
This unit aims to develop the business communications and personal skills required for credit controller and debt collection specialist and enforcement work.
Consumer Collections
This intermediate award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Commercial Telephone Collections
The Commercial Telephone Collections unit aims to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for commercial telephone collections.
Consumer Telephone Collections
The Consumer telephone Collections unit aims to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for consumer telephone collections.
What are the entry requirements?
We have an 'open' qualification policy, which means you do not need any previous qualifications or experience. However, if you are already working in a credit or collections role this will certainly benefit your studies.
How long will it take?
Award: 3-6 months
Certificate: 6-12 months
Diploma: 12-18 months
How and where can I study?
There are a number of ways to study for our qualifications and this depends on the units you choose.
Syllabus
Click here to view syllabus.
Progression
The next qualification is the Intermediate Diploma in Credit & Collections - completing this qualification and having current CICM membership means that you can use the letters ACICM after your name. Please note - the Credit Management and/or Consumer Collections units sit within both the Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications. Therefore, if undertaking these units as part of a Level 2 Diploma, there is the opportunity to attain a pass at Level 2 or 3. Passing these units at Level 3 would mean you have completed a mandatory unit required as part of the Level 3 Diploma so, will give you a head start on the intermediate qualification.
Level 3 (Intermediate) Diploma in Credit and Collections
The Intermediate Diploma in Credit & Collections (Level 3) is designed to raise your effectiveness, improve your career prospects and prepare you for more senior roles. You will gain an advanced understanding of a wide range of credit management related concepts, processes and techniques and is ideal for those aspiring to progress.
Completing this qualification means that you can use the letters ACICM after your name (if you have current membership).
What will I learn?
This level will broaden your knowledge and understanding about credit and collections, with the option to specialise in credit risk or enforcement. It will help you understand and implement the principles of best practice to enhance and optimise day-to-day activities.
What will I gain?
Our structured approach to learning will improve your technical knowledge and teaches useful techniques which can be used daily. A CICM qualification can increase your earning potential, even while you are still studying. The flexibility of our qualification structure means you can choose to study any of the Intermediate awards and 'bank' them with us. Pass four awards to achieve CICM Intermediate Diploma in Credit & Collections, as well as Associate Membership (ACICM).
Who is it for?
Individuals who wish to raise their profile and prepare for the next level of responsibility for example Senior Credit Controllers, Credit Risk Analysts or Team Leaders. As a CICM learner, you prove your commitment to upholding the highest professional standards and to raise personal performance.
Can I get exemptions or credit recognition from units?
Yes, if you already have business related qualifications at an equivalent or higher level, you can apply for an exemption.
Are you eligible for an exemption?
Recognition of prior learning
The CICM accredits prior learning, and learners may apply for an exemption for one or more units if they have passed a relevant subject in an equivalent qualification. This must be at the same or a higher level.
A request for exemption should be made in writing on registration with the CICM, and be supported by copies of certificates and official confirmation of the subjects or units passed. It may also be necessary to provide syllabus details so that the Institute can determine the degree of match between the qualifications being considered and its own units.
Examination exemptions will not be awarded for units where a candidate has previously sat and failed that unit in an CICM examination. Also, only the CICM can advise on eligibility for exemptions. Exemptions are not valid until the relevant fee has been paid.
For further information please contact [email protected]
Get started
This requires successful completion of four Level 3 units - one of which must be from the mandatory section from the syllabus.
Awards (Units) can be taken via:
Take a look at your study options,costs and packages available for CICM Qualifications
Level 3 Units
Accounting Principles
This unit aims to develop a good understanding of fundamental accounting principles and techniques for those working credit management related areas.
Advanced Business Communications and Personal Skills
The unit develops the advanced business communications and personal skills required for advanced credit controller, debt collection specialist and enforcement work.
Advanced Collections
This unit develops the advanced collection knowledge and skills required for advanced credit controller and debt collection specialist work.
Business Environment
The unit places the working environment in context through the development of an understanding of four elements, the structure and function of organisations, organisational management, marketing and the external environment such as the economy and markets.
Business Law
The unit provides a broad understanding of the legal context and structures in which business operates through the development of knowledge about the English legal system, contract law, agency, and sales and supply of goods legislation.
Consumer Collections
This intermediate award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Consumer Credit Management
This award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Credit Management (Trade Export and Consumer)
This unit provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice across a range of credit environments.
Credit Risk Management
This unit aims to develop the credit risk management knowledge and skills of advanced credit controller and debt collection specialists.
Debt Recovery Management
This unit aims to develop advanced knowledge and skills required for debt recovery management work.
Export Credit Management
The unit provides a broad understanding of the legal context and structures in which business operates through the development of knowledge about the English legal system, contract law, agency, and sales and supply of goods legislation.
Trade Credit Management
This award provides an understanding of the concepts, processes and techniques that underpin best practice within consumer credit management.
Advanced Enforcement
This regulated intermediate award develops the advanced knowledge, skills and behaviours of senior enforcement agents.
What are the entry requirements?
There are no minimum Level 3 entry requirements, however CICM strongly recommends that candidates hold Level 2 qualifications in Maths and English before they commence the Level 3 Diploma programme. Also, learners should have a strong command of English if this is their second language.
How long will it take?
The Diploma takes 24 months.
How and where can I study?
There are a number of ways to study for our qualifications. First determine which units you wish to study and then you can select your method.
Syllabus
Click here to view syllabus.
Progression
The next qualification is the Advanced Diploma in Credit & Collections Management. Once you have completed both the Level 3 Diploma in Credit & Collections and the Level 5 you can use the letters MCICM(Grad) after your name (if your membership is current). We recommend if you ultimately wish to progress to take the Advanced Diploma you should aim to pass or be exempt from the following Level 3 units: Credit Management, Business Environment, Business Law and Accounting Principles.
Level 5 (Advanced) Diploma in Credit and Collections
The Advanced Diploma offers essential knowledge about key credit management areas and an increased ability to innovate, lead teams and operate in complex business environments. The qualification demonstrates a high level of knowledge and expertise in credit management and the ability to maximise the efficiency of the credit function.
What will I learn?
The Advanced Diploma provides advanced knowledge about Credit, Collections and the wider business environment. It covers Strategic Planning, Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical & social requirements, Advanced Credit Risk Management, Process Improvement, Strategic Communications & Leadership and Legal Proceedings & Insolvency. The qualification gives both theoretical and practical skills and establishes a clear commitment to career development and progression.
What will I gain?
If you pass four awards you will gain the Advanced Diploma in Credit & Collections Management. The qualification is regulated by Ofqual and accredited by Qualification Wales and CCEA Regulations and facilitates progress to a higher level degree such as MBA degree qualifications.
Additionally, the Advanced Diploma gives eligibility to Graduate Membership of the Chartered Institute of Credit Management and to the professional letters MCICM(Grad) for those who have achieved, in addition, either a CICM Intermediate Diploma or professional membership (MCICM) or fellowship (FCICM) through the membership experience assessment route.
Who is it for?
Credit controllers, analysts, department managers or team leaders who would like to move to more senior roles or experienced credit managers who need to consolidate their experience with qualifications.
Can I get exemptions from units?
Yes, if you have passed qualifications with similar content at an equivalent or higher level, you may be eligible for an exemption.
Are you eligible for an exemption?
Recognition of prior learning
The CICM accredits prior learning, and learners may apply for an exemption for one or more units if they have passed a relevant subject in an equivalent qualification. This must be at the same or a higher level.
A request for exemption should be made in writing on registration with the CICM, and be supported by copies of certificates and official confirmation of the subjects or units passed. It may also be necessary to provide syllabus details so that the Institute can determine the degree of match between the qualifications being considered and its own units.
Examination exemptions will not be awarded for units where a candidate has previously sat and failed that unit in an CICM examination. Also, only the CICM can advise on eligibility for exemptions. Exemptions are not valid until the relevant fee has been paid.
For further information please contact [email protected]
How am I assessed?
To gain the Advanced Diploma, you must pass four awards (units) assessed by written assignment
Get started
Successful completion of any four awards (units) will lead to a Advanced Diploma in Credit & Collections Management.
Awards (Units) can be taken via:
Level 5 Units
Advanced Credit Risk Management
The unit aims to build high level knowledge and skills in advanced credit risk management.
Compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
The unit aims to develop the ability to evaluate compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements for own area of responsibility
Strategic Planning
The unit aims to develop the ability to map the environment in which a business operates and benchmark operational performance in a way which raises strategic planning and communication skills
Legal proceedings and Insolvency
This unit aims to develop an understanding of legal proceedings and insolvency in relation to the collection of debt.
Strategic Communications and Leadership
The unit aims to build leadership skills through a theoretical and practical understanding of strategic communications
Process Improvement
The unit aims to develop the ability to monitor, review and improve business processes in own area of responsibility.
What are the entry requirements?
Advanced Diploma entry requirements are:
CICM Intermediate Level 3 Diploma
And/or
Minimum CICM Associate Membership grade
CICM strongly recommends the completion of Intermediate passes or exemptions in Credit Management, Accounting Principles, Business Environment and Business Law because the programme assumes robust knowledge of these areas.
How long will it take?
The qualification will take, on average, about 2 years to complete.
How and where can I study?
There are a number of ways to study for our qualifications and this depends on the units you choose.
Syllabus
Click here to view syllabus.
Progression
The qualification is regulated by Ofqual and facilitates progression to a higher level degree such as MBA degree qualifications.
Employers view qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Credit Management (CICM) as desirable and it is rare to see credit management job specifications that do not request CICM qualified candidates. In credit management, a clear correlation exists between training and business performance
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